Domestic Abuse

Next Northampton Solidarity Network meeting

After a lively meeting on the pros and cons of the EU, it has been decided that the next meeting will discuss the results of the Labour Leadership election and think about ‘where to now?’ The provisional date and location are Tuesday 22nd Sept at the Sheep St Working Men’s Club. More details to be announced.

Refugee Crisis

12th Sept Stop the War Demo ‘Refugees Welcome Here’. Assemble Marble Arch 12.00, march to Downing St. For more details: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

There’s a lot of important work to be done this year. A key national focus will be to fight the TU Bill, so please support events locally and nationally, and get your workplace colleagues involved. Don’t forget we now have a Facebook Page too at https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthamptonTUC/

Events

7th Sept: 7.30 Northampton Solidarity Network meeting on ‘The Left and the EU/Common Market In or Out – What’s the Socialist View? Northampton Working Men’s Club Sheep St. More details: Socialists and the EU 1

12th Sept: NTUC stall in town against the TU Bill. 11.00 Abington St Cobbler’s Last statue. Please let Graham know if you can help out secretary@ntuc.org.uk.

21st Sept: Full NBC Council Meeting 6.30 – NTUC hopes to give in a petition on the TU Bill. Print off copies and return by scan/email to secretary @ntuc.org.uk by the 18th Sept. Please get as many signatures from your workplace as possible – we need minimum 2000: trade union bill petition ntuc 2015

22nd Sept: Regional Public Rally against the TU Bill and Austerity, 7pm Church Room, Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX. See here for poster and details of speakers.

24th Sept: Full NCC Council Meeting 10.30. NTUC hopes to give the petition in again (see 21st Sept).

24th Sept: 7.00pm NTUC open meeting with John Burgess Secretary of Barnet Unison ‘Defending Against The Outsourcing of Public Services’. John will be talking about Unison’s lengthy fight against the outsourcing of council services. This is very relevant to all employees of NCC and NBC so please get people along. https://www.facebook.com/events/893340927414542/

3 – 7 Oct: TUC and People’s Assembly events at the Conservative Party Conference, Manchester. See PA website for info including accommodation, transport and comedy night. Events timetable. TUC March and Rally on 4th, assembling at 12.00 at Oxford Rd for a rally at 1.00 and the march at 1.30. Local transport – does anyone have details of coaches? If so please contact me sarah@ntuc.org.uk and/or Graham at secretary@ntuc.org.uk. Lots more info on the PA’s website and the TUC.

At the time of writing, beware – I think the events tab on the PA site has been hacked, so don’t click on anything suspicious. My links still worked.

Trade unionists, grassroots activists & their families are supported at the Ron Todd House by providing practical solidarity in the form of food, washing facilities, a place to stay etc. We are seeing up to 30 trade unionists and their families a week seeking help and over the summer holidays we have been distributing hundreds of packed lunches each week to trade unionists who are struggling to make ends meet during these times of austerity.

Community Court Yard is aware that 1 in 5 young people in Northamptonshire are living in real poverty and through the Ron Todd Foundation, we are already planning for Christmas. We estimate that we will be distributing around 150 Christmas hampers to support those trade union members who will not have the financial resources to provide food and heating over the Christmas period for their family.

Family is extremely important, which is why we are asking our trade union family to support us in the task to give our brothers, sisters and their families an easier Christmas this year. We are asking trade union branches and activists to consider supporting this cause by either affiliating to the Ron Todd Foundation or to make a donation to Community Court Yard specifically for this project.

Events

15th/16th August: Umbrella Fair, N’ton Racecourse – http://www.umbrellafair.org.uk/. NTUC will be running a stall both days. Any campaign group except political parties can join us. Also we welcome help to man the stall. Please contact Graham at secretary@ntuc.org.uk

Other News and Links

Northampton Solidarity Network: Following the well attended and lively meetings on ‘The General Election results and the Left’ and ‘The significance of the recent events in Greece’ it was agreed to hold meetings on ‘Arguments to counter austerity’ and on ‘How the Left should relate to Common Market/EU’. These will be after the summer break. Contact: 01604 752588.

National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) http://shopstewards.net/2015/07/nssn-252-victory-for-glasgow-homelessness-case-workers/ carries a long list of current action – there is more going on than the media would have us believe. In particular the Glasgow Homelessness Caseworkers have won a significant victory after 17 weeks of strike action. Also Deutsche Postal Workers in Germany have won a broad pay and conditions agreement on good terms after 3 months of action. We need to publicise these victories and support disputes.